Ranka Monastery is one of the most beautiful and scenic monasteries near Gangtok. It is located at Ranka, which is about 20 km from Gangtok city. It is also known as Lingdum Monastery.
Other monasteries in Sikkim are old but Ranka Monastery is new. It was built in 1998 and follows the Zurmang Kagyud lineage of Buddhism.
Because it is new, it is very well maintained and has a very grand appearance. The monastery is famous for its big courtyard, beautiful architecture, and peaceful environment.
It is surrounded by lush green forested mountains on all sides. When you visit here, you will see many young monks (Lamas) studying and doing their daily activities.
Ranka Monastery is also very famous because many Bollywood movies have been shot here, including the movie “Waqt”. Inside the sanctum, there is a huge gold-plated statue of Lord Buddha.
The walls are decorated with colorful hand paintings and Thangkas. It is a perfect spot for peace lovers, families, and photography lovers.
Because of its location and beauty, Ranka Monastery is a must-visit during your Gangtok tour.
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Best time to visit Ranka Monastery
Before planning your visit to Ranka Monastery, it’s important to understand how weather and seasons affect the monastery and the overall travel experience.
Ranka is a nature spot surrounded by hills and forests so timing your visit well will make it more enjoyable. This is the first concern of you.
Summer and Autumn are considered the best seasons to visit Ranka Monastery. But choice is yours, when you visit.
Summer (March–June)
Summer is one of the best seasons to visit Ranka Monastery. Because in this season, the weather is beautiful and pleasant with clear skies.
In this season, the temperature stays between 12°C – 22°C in Gangtok, that is cool and walking around the large courtyard is comfortable.
In this season nature looks fresh and green. This season is great for sightseeing, photography, and spending peaceful time near the monastery. If you are planning your Gangtok trip, choosing this season will be your great decision.
Monsoon (July–September)
Monsoon is not recommended for visiting Ranka Monastery. Because this region is heavy rainfall area.
Heavy rainfall may make the roads slippery and also risk of landslide is here. Since Ranka is 20 km away from the main city, travelling can be difficult. Weather is foggy and visibility remains very low so you can’t enjoy the mountain views.
Autumn (October–November)
After summer, Autumn is also the best season to visit Gangtok and Ranka Monastery. This is after monsoon season so you will see lush greenery everywhere and with beautiful clear skies.
In this season, the weather becomes clear and pleasant after the monsoon. In this season, temperature stays between 8°C – 18°C in Gangtok, make it cool. This is a great season for capturing photos with crisp air and clear light. So you can visit Ranka in this season.
Winter (December–February)
In Gangtok the winters are very cold because of Himalayas. But you can still visit Ranka Monastery in winter if you are comfortable with colder temperatures.
In this season temperature remains between 3°C – 12°C. Mornings are very chilly, but the air is clear and refreshing. You will feel relaxed and calm in this season. So if you want a quiet and relaxed spiritual visit, this season will be perfect for you.
Gangtok Tour Package
How to Reach Ranka Monastery
If you are planning to visit Gangtok and Ranka Monastery you must have to take some knowledge about how to reach to Gangtok and Ranka Monastery to make your tour easy and smooth.
Ranka Monastery is located about 20 km from Gangtok. It takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour to reach there from the city center. There are many ways to reach to Gangtok and Ranka:
By Flight
There are no airports in Gangtok city so you have to reach to the nearest airport first. The nearest airports are Pakyong Airport (nearest) and Bagdogra Airport. You can reach any of the airport from both.
At any airport, you will easily taxi or cab to Gangtok. Once you reach Gangtok, book a local taxi to Ranka Monastery. It is a scenic drive. No permit is required to visit the monastery.
By Train
There are no train stations in Sikkim. Because trains not operate in Sikkkim because this is a mountain area. So you have to reach to the nearest New Jalpaiguri or Siliguri train stations.
From here you can hire a local taxi or cab to Gangtok. You will get easily. And after reaching Gangtok you can book a local taxi to the Monastery.
By Road
This is the most convenient and best way to reach Ranka. Ranka Monastery is located about 20 km from Gangtok city center (MG Marg).
The road is smooth and well connected, so you can easily reach by taxi or local shared jeep. It takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour from MG Marg or Deorali Stand. So you can visit easily.
Tour Package
If you want a stress-free travel experience, you can book a Gangtok Tour Package that includes Ranka Monastery in the itinerary. Most packages cover Ranka along with Banjhakri Waterfall.
Nearby Tourist Attractions
These are nearby places to visit in Gangtok and Ranka Monastery.
FAQs
What is Ranka Monastery famous for?
Ranka Monastery, also known as Lingdum Monastery, is famous for its beautiful architecture, vast open courtyard, and peaceful vibes. It is also very famous as a shooting spot for Bollywood movies like Waqt: The Race Against Time.
How much does it cost to go to Ranka Monastery?
There is no entry fee to visit Ranka Monastery, it is free for all tourists. However, you will have to pay for the taxi or cab fare to reach there from Gangtok. A private taxi may cost between ₹1500 to ₹2500 for a round trip.
What is the oldest monastery in India?
The Tabo Monastery in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh is considered the oldest operating monastery in India, built in 996 AD.
Where is Ranka in Sikkim?
Ranka is a scenic locality in East Sikkim. It is located about 20 km away from Gangtok city center. It takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour to reach Ranka from MG Marg.
